1926.552(b)(5): Hoist Tower Enclosures
Hoist towers may be used with or without an enclosure on all sides. An enclosed tower must be screened on all sides for its full height with 1/2-inch mesh of No. 18 U.S. gauge wire or equal, except for landing access. If not enclosed, the hoist car must be fully caged with 1/2-inch mesh of No. 14 U.S. gauge wire or equal, with gates, and a 6-foot high enclosure provided on unused sides at ground level.
Key takeaways
- 1926.552(b)(5) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $15,500 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.552(b) Material hoists (21 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.552(b)(5) is one requirement inside 1926.552 Material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart N). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(5) Hoist towers may be used with or without an enclosure on all sides. However, whichever alternative is chosen, the following applicable conditions shall be met: 4 citations
(i) When a hoist tower is enclosed, it shall be enclosed on all sides for its entire height with a screen enclosure of 1⁄2-inch mesh, No. 18 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent, except for landing access.
(ii) When a hoist tower is not enclosed, the hoist platform or car shall be totally enclosed (caged) on all sides for the full height between the floor and the overhead protective covering with 1⁄2-inch mesh of No. 14 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent. The hoist platform enclosure shall include the required gates for loading and unloading. A 6-foot high enclosure shall be provided on the unused sides of the hoist tower at ground level. Open (b)(5)(ii) 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.552.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.552(b)(5).
At 12:34 p.m. on July 30, 2024, an employee working for an industrial building contractor was working in a warehouse. The employee died when he fell due to unspecified reasons approximately two floors.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.552(b)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.552(b)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.552(b) Material hoists 21 citations
- 1926.552(b)(1) 5 citations
- 1926.552(b)(2) 5 citations
- 1926.552(b)(3) 4 citations
- 1926.552(b)(5)(ii) 4 citations
- 1926.552(b)(1)(ii) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Must hoist towers be enclosed?
They may be used with or without an enclosure, but the conditions for the chosen option must be met.
What mesh is required for an enclosed tower?
1/2-inch mesh, No. 18 U.S. gauge wire or equivalent, on all sides for the entire height except landing access.
What is required at ground level for an unenclosed tower?
A 6-foot high enclosure on the unused sides of the hoist tower.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.552 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-19
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.